​Trying to establish a relationship with a God that barely tolerates you but cannot truly accept and certainly will never celebrate you can do incredible damage to one's self esteem. The tortured historical and theological view that suggests that some people are just flawed or born to be the underclass and should never expect to be on God’s ‘A’ list, has been the convenient method used to hold women, immigrants, the poor and LGBT people in chains of self-depreciation.

We all need community. When access to existing communities is not available, marginalized people must seek to develop community for and among themselves. We at City of Refuge UCC are giving birth to a fresh, emerging Christian community. We believe that now, as in the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, seemingly marginalized people respond to a community of openness and inclusivity, where other people from the edge gather. City of Refuge UCC welcomes people to be who they are by embracing a theology of acceptance -– a radical inclusivity that leaves no one behind.